CHAMBERSBURG — As local students go back to school, United Way of Franklin County wrapped up deliveries to school districts from its annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive.
United Way has been coordinating collection sites and bus visits since early July, working in partnership with more than 40 local organizations to collect supplies. The groups have collected more than $22,000 worth of school supplies for districts in the county. School supplies include everything from crayons and scissors to notebooks, backpacks and tissues.
School supplies donated through United Way of Franklin County support Chambersburg Area, Waynesboro Area, Greencastle-Antrim, Tuscarora and Fannett-Metal school districts.
Bus appearances at community events throughout the summer were provided by Friese Bus Transportation LLC and Weaver Busing LLC, with sponsorship support from Patriot Federal Credit Union, Herbruck’s and Rotary Club of Mercersburg.
“Besides helping prepare kids and schools for a successful school year, Stuff the Bus holds a nostalgic appeal for a lot of us who spent years preparing our own kids to go back to school.” said Amy Hicks, executive director of United Way of Franklin County. “Preparing for each new school year is something that we experience as a community with a sense of enthusiasm and hope.”
Stuff the Bus is in its 11th year this summer. The event was adopted by United Way of Franklin County to respond to growing needs in local schools and to help ensure that classroom supplies would be available for area students when they arrive at school. Area businesses and residents were able to donate supplies for delivery to a particular school district, or simply to support the entire community’s areas of greatest need.
Although the Stuff the Bus drive completed before schools reconvened last week, United Way of Franklin County provides numerous ways of helping students and the community throughout the year, including its Annual Community Campaign, which will kick off on Sept. 20, and their Winter Warmth Drive, which focuses on support of basic needs services, in January. Donations are accepted year-round and can be made through the organizations’ website at www.uwfcpa.org or by calling 717-262-0015.
Annually, United Way of Franklin County provides support for more than 20 programs that support individuals and families residing throughout Franklin County. More than 26,000 points of service were provided through United Way supported programs last year, including access to food, programs that promote literacy, early learning, financial stability and health, United Way officials noted.
